Trade associations for the plastics and metal sectors have responded positively to the announcement of increased packaging recycling targets affecting the two waste streams over the next two years.
Speaking to letsrecycle.com, trade association British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) and plastics recycling trade body Recoup welcomed yesterday's announcement of an increase in the packaging recycling targets for steel and plastic packaging respectively in 2011 and 2012 (see letsrecycle.com story).
The packaging targets announced yesterday (October 26), which are still subject to parliamentary approval, are the same as those set for 2010 for all materials except plastics and steel – which rose from 29% to 32% and 69% to 71%, respectively.
The announcement of the figures came off the back of a consultation on proposed targets, launched in March 2010 (see letsrecycle.com story) which prompted concern in the packaging recycling sector over plans for sharp increases in the targets for plastics, aluminium and wood (see letsrecycle.com story).
Steel
Responding to the announcement that Defra had raised the steel packaging recycling target to 71% for 2011 and 2012 to ensure the UK the minimum targets required by EU legislation, the BMRA said that it welcomed the increase and suggested it could help bolster the value of packaging recovery notes (PRNs).
Howard Bluck, head of environment at the BMRA, said: “We know that the industry has the capacity to handle this material and we hope increased targets bring a small increase in throughput during challenging economic times for the steel industry.
“We also believe that higher targets could help create a system of more stable PRN/PERN prices; helping producers and local authorities predict their likely expenditure, and helping reprocessors and exporters plan how to allocate their revenue.”
Plastics
They have increased the business targets for plastics recycling in 2011 to balance the books and in doing so have given other materials a softer ride
Philip Law, public and industrial affairs director, BPF
The other material to experience an increase in its targets is plastic – where targets have increased to 32% for 2011 and 2012 – higher than the 30% target for 2011 proposed in the consultation document.
Plastics recycling trade Recoup was supportive of the increase in targets, noting that the 2011 and 2012 goals were “effectively holding targets” until the completion of the review of waste policy. Recoup added that it believed that the 32% targets would be “met comfortably”.
“It was 29% for this year which we are easily going to meet, so we welcome the fact that we have now got the new targets in good time for next year,” said Stuart Foster, director of Recoup. “Yes, it has gone up from 29% to 32%, which is the way it is going to stay for two years, but we are going to achieve that quite comfortably unless we have any major issues in the industry.”
However, the positive reception was starkly contrasted by the British Plastics Federation, which claimed that the plastics target had been increased in order to counter-balance the government taking a “softer” approach to other materials.
Philip Law, pubic and industrial affairs director at the BPF, said: “The plastics industry is cooperating with Defra on plastics recycling targets beyond 2012. However, in their determination of the 2011 and 2012 targets, Defra have not heeded our advice.
“They have increased the business targets for plastics recycling in 2011 to balance the books and in doing so have given other materials a softer ride.”
Aluminium
A note of concern was raised by the aluminium packaging industry body Alupro, which claimed that the setting of a 40% target for 2011 and 2012 in the wake of the sector besting this performance in the previous financial year.
Rick Hindley, AluPro executive director, said: “We're surprised that the aluminium packaging recycling targets have stayed at 40%. The figure achieved for 2009 was 41.8% and during consultation we showed that the industry has the commitment and the investment plans in place to ensure higher rates can be achieved.”
Furthermore, Mr Hindley said that low targets could also impact future investment in the sector. He said: “By setting targets at or below the levels we have already achieved future growth will be undermined as cash available through the PRN/PERN will be lower.
“There is a real danger that reprocessors and exporters will not consider PRN/PERN registration worthwhile for 2011 and 2012. This would take collected material outside the reporting structure and would result in inaccurate measuring of recycling figures.”
“Disappointment”
Elsewhere, British Glass – which represents glass manufacturers, producers and recyclers – expressed disappointment at the government's decision to postpone a proposed separate glass target based on the material's end use until after the waste policy review.
Rebecca Cocking, recycling manager at British Glass, told letsrecycle.com: “We are disappointed that there will be a delay in splitting glass targets but are not surprised as we were aware that changes such as the one proposed would not happen overnight. We hope that the support received during the consultation process will be included in the waste review.”
Packaging sector trade body INCPEN claimed that there was a feeling in the sector that Defra would not introduce anything “too dramatic” with regards to packaging targets until the on-going waste policy review had been completed.
Jane Bickerstaffe, director of INCPEN, told letsrecycle.com: “I am aware of the responses that members of INCPEN put back into the consultation. Plastics processors were already concerned that they were too high but they were talking about the 2020 targets. From a political point-of-view, because of the review of waste policy that is going on, it seems that they don't want to do anything too dramatic.”
Friends of the Earth
A more critical response came from Friends of the Earth, which, as well as criticising the government's “missed opportunity” to create jobs by boosting the goals, added that the plastic packaging targets should have been increased further.
Michael Warhurst, senior waste campaigner, said: “The government has missed the chance to drive forward innovation in plastic packaging design – higher targets would have forced companies to recycle more. Recycling saves cash, cuts emissions and protects natural resources, so we should be recycling as much of our waste as possible instead of burying it and sending it up in smoke.
“Caroline Spelman says the government is aiming for a zero waste economy, going further and faster than Labour on recycling – but today's announcement implies the Coalition is all talk and no action.”
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